Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Lightbulbs: Facts Versus Fiction The phase out of incandescent bulbs set in motion by the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 was intended, in part, to eventually eliminate inefficient incandescent lightbulbs, known as “general service lamps,” and increase use of more efficient lighting technologies. Along the way, however, confusion has grown about new […]
Costs and Benefits of EPA’s Proposed Ozone Standards Since the Clean Air Act was passed in 1970, the EPA claims harmful air pollution has been reduced “by about 70% while the U.S. economy has more than tripled,” with ground-level ozone dropping about 33% since 1980. Overall, 90% of the areas in the United States that […]
Every three years, EPA announces its key focus areas for NEIs whereby a national enforcement team is deployed to intensely scrutinizes, and penalize if necessary, entities that violate environmental regulations. Last year, EPA announced its intention to maintain the previous NEI focus areas through fiscal year 2016. That means the current focus areas will remain […]
EPA’s Proposed Changes to Ground-Level Ozone Standards The EPA is required by the Clean Air Act (CAA) to review outdoor air quality standards for ozone every 5 years “by following a set of open, transparent steps and considering the advice of a panel of independent experts.” In this most recent review, more than 1,000 […]
SPCC Violations Underscore Importance of Facility Response Plans In December 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with an Alaska-based oil field services company for multiple violations of the SPCC rule, including failure to submit an FRP. Under the SPCC regulations, there are two scenarios that require preparation and submission of […]
Tips for Assessing Applicability with the SPCC Rule Tip—Know the qualifying factors for coverage under the SPCC rule. The SPCC rule applies when the following are met at a facility*: The facility stores, transfers, uses, or consumes oil or oil products, such as diesel fuel, gasoline, lube oil, hydraulic oil, adjuvant oil, crop oil, […]
Green Planning Tips for Large Events and Conventions 1) When considering different sites and venues, take into account the following before making the decision: Travel—Think about how attendees will get there and what public transportation is available on-site or nearby that is easy to use for attending the event and for getting around for […]
Improving Worker Health and Safety by Design NIOSH broadly defines “green” jobs as those “that help to improve the environment.” These may include jobs related to renewable energy like solar and wind, jobs in recycling, jobs in the manufacturing of cleaner more sustainable products, and jobs where workers use these greener products such as […]
Climate Change and Worker Health—Rising Risks Employers in the United States have long been governed by laws and regulations designed to provide a safe and healthy environment for workers. But climate change presents a new set of worker risks that are just beginning to be understood. Although many of the actual risks are the same […]
Record of Noncompliance with CWA Ends in Hefty Penalty for Oil Company In April 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) performed an inspection at an oil storage facility in Ingleside, Texas, that included review of the facility’s physical condition, the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan and its Facility Response Plan (FRP). Following the […]